Substance abuse seems to be all around us. The dangers are far and wide it seems we all are only a couple of degrees away from someone who has been affected. Or tragically it has hit our own home unit. We may be familiar with the usual substances: cocaine, heroin, meth, LSD … but there is another dangerous predator making the rounds—it’s known colloquially as the “crocodile drug,” or “krokodil.” And it’s as lethal as the predatory beast it’s named after.
This drug is not merely a substance to be abused; it’s a physical manifestation of desperation and the lengths to which addiction can drive the human spirit. Krokodil is a homemade, illegal, and highly dangerous drug that originated in Russia as a cheap substitute for heroin. It’s a destructive opioid that can cause severe and often life-threatening health issues.
What Is the Crocodile Drug?
The crocodile drug (with the scientific moniker desomorphine) was born in the clandestine labs, where it was synthesized as a cheaper alternative to heroin. It is a potent opioid that promises a high, high. However, it’s a Trojan horse, unleashing a host of devastating physiological effects on its users.
Originally manufactured in the United States in the 1930s as a potentially less addictive and less potent alternative to morphine, it was soon discontinued due to severe side effects.
The “crocodile drug” is actually called “krokodil” in Russian, which means “crocodile” in English. It gets this nickname from the scaly, green, and grey appearance of the skin where the drug has been injected, looking somewhat like crocodile skin. It’s known in the science world as desomorphine, and it’s an opioid, which means it’s in the same drug family as morphine, heroin, and codeine.
Krokodil is made by cooking up codeine with other substances like paint thinner, hydrochloric acid, iodine, and red phosphorus (the stuff you find on the side of matchboxes). These are really harsh chemicals, and they are not meant for the human body at all.
This drug first showed up in Russia and Ukraine, where people started making it around the early 2000s because heroin was hard to get and expensive. Krokodil was cheap, and the ingredients were easy to find, but it was very dangerous. It’s used by injecting it into the veins, which is risky in itself, but the added dangers of the impurities and chemicals can cause severe damage to the body very quickly.
The Harms of the Crocodile Drug
Desomorphine (krokodil) is a depressant, meaning it slows down the signals between the brain and the body. When people use it, they might feel relaxed and pain-free for a short time, but the high doesn’t last long, and the side effects are devastating.
- Rapid Physical Deterioration: Krokodil induces severe tissue damage, often resulting in gangrene, phlebitis, and limb amputations.
- Shortened Lifespan: The life expectancy of a frequent krokodil user is shockingly reduced to just two to three years post-initiation.
- Infectious Diseases: Users are at a heightened risk of contracting HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C due to needle sharing and compromised immune systems.
- Mental Health Decline: Chronic use leads to pronounced neurological degradation, resulting in impaired cognitive function and psychological disturbances.
The Crocodile Drug Crisis
According to the Federal Drug Control Service of Russia, krokodil usage peaked around 2011, with around one million users in Russia alone. Fast forward to the present day, and its use has sprawled like wildfire across various continents, sinking its teeth into the fabric of numerous societies.
In the United States, the presence of krokodil is relatively new but no less disturbing. The Drug Enforcement Administration has reported scattered instances of krokodil-related injuries, hinting at the drug’s creeping entrance into the American street drug tableau.
Crocodile Drug’s Bite
Krokodil’s low cost and relatively simple production make it a go-to for those unable to afford or access heroin. But this cost-efficiency might cost users their lives. The drug is injected, and its impurities can quickly lead to a cascade of health complications.
All that said, perhaps the crocodile drug’s most insidious attribute is its potency. It is said to be ten times more potent than morphine, which catapults the user into a profound state of sedation, one that is often peppered with vivid hallucinations. The high, however, is fleeting (maybe 90 minutes), thus propelling the user into a relentless cycle of re-dosing and further bodily harm.
The Battle Against Krokodil
Treatment for krokodil addiction has to be multifaceted, addressing not just the physiological consequences but the psychological stronghold of the drug.
If you or someone you know is struggling with an addiction to krokodil or any other substance, there’s hope and help available. EagleCrest Recovery, located in Benton County, Arkansas, offers a compassionate and comprehensive approach to detox and recovery. Don’t let addiction have the final say. Take the first step towards a healthier, drug-free life by calling EagleCrest Recovery at (844) 439-7627. Our dedicated team is ready to support you on your journey to recovery.
